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Toronto Homeowner's Guide to Retrofits - Many Ways to Upgrade

August 10, 2017

Whether it’s about personal budget or home comfort, more and more homeowners are looking to improve the energy efficiency of their home. This is particularly apparent in older homes where the building envelope isn’t air tight, and the insulation is less than adequate. In these homes, heating and cooling is simply being wasted, and energy bills are higher than need be.

Old home or new, it’s been estimated that heating the home accounts for well over 50% of energy use, making for a high proportion of the overall energy bill. The good news is that homeowners can undertake a number of energy retrofits that will lessen energy use, reduce monthly bills, and improve indoor comfort. In short, a well sealed, well insulated home performs better.

Upgrading Existing Attic Insulation insulation retrofits toronto spray foam insulation

Upgrading attic insulation will immediately improve the energy efficiency of a home. Winter heating and summer cooling will be better balanced, and monthly energy use will be reduced.  And with balanced indoor temperatures, the home will be more comfortable season to season.

“Drill & Fill” Insulation Retrofitting

Drill & Fill” is an innovative approach to energy retrofitting whereby new insulation is installed into existing walls. Without damaging the wall, loose fill insulation is blown into the wall cavity to dramatically increase the thermal insulation while raising the overall R-Values throughout.

Removing Old Insulation to Upgrade

Removing old insulation and replacing with better performing material is a sure way to enhance energy efficiency. Upgrading insulation, especially in the roof and attic, will address both air leakage and thermal performance. Winter and summer, the HVAC system will perform better.

Installing or Re-Installing Air Barriers

Improper airflow throughout a home affects air moisture, oxygen levels, and air pollutants. And overall, these will affect indoor comfort. Properly installed air barriers, whether in the attic or the basement, will ensure much better air circulation and moisture control throughout the home.

Blower Door Tests can be Very Telling

Blower door tests are designed to identify air leakage points in a building structure. An in-depth test and assessment will suggest retrofits that will improve the home’s energy performance and efficiency. Blower door tests are carried our by a Certified Energy Advisor who is accredited.

Air Sealing, Draft Proofing, Ventilation

Eliminating air leakage is key to energy efficiency. A well sealed home doesn’t allow heat to escape in winter or allow heat to enter in summer. And when the home is well ventilated, overall performance is enhanced. Industry experts prefer a home that is sealed tight/ventilated right.

Toronto Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofits – an Action Plan

For those homeowners who are intent on improving energy efficiency in their home, the experts at Great Northern Insulation now offer an online service to move things forward. Homeowners can gauge their home’s energy performance online, and pinpoint areas that could be improved. With GNI, various retrofits can be recommended, and upgrades can be implemented. For more information, visit www.gni.ca or contact the office directly at 1-800-265-1914.

London and Western Ontario

2485 Innovation Drive
London ON
N6M 0C8

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

St. Catharines and Niagara Region

25 Lincoln Ave
St. Catharines, ON
L2P 2C7

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Ottawa and Eastern Ontario

15 Corvus Court
Nepean ON
K2E 7Z4

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Gravenhurst, ON

1027 Elwell Park Road
Gravenhurst, Ontario
Canada P1P 1R1

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Barrie, ON

29 Ferndale Industrial Drive
Barrie, Ontario
Canada L4N 9V5

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Etobicoke, ON

2 Guided Court
Etobicoke, ON
M9V 4K6

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Port Perry, ON

103 North Port Road
Port Perry, Ontario
Canada L9L 1B2

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Milton, ON

450 Industrial Dr,
Toronto (Milton), Ontario
Canada L9T 5A6

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

BBB

Great Northern Insulation - Better Business Bureau Profile.

Homestars Best of 2021 Award

Best of 2021

HomeStars has ranked Great Northern Insulation as a company that goes above and beyond in every aspect of business for the year of 2021.

Homestars Best of 2022 Award

Best of 2022

HomeStars has ranked Great Northern Insulation as a company that goes above and beyond in every aspect of business for the year of 2022.

Lowes

GNI is the Authorized & Trusted Insulation and Air Sealing Installer for Lowe’s

Trusted for Over 40 Years

Over 40 Years in Business

At GNI, we service your project with the most experienced staff in the industry. Ongoing professional development is an obsession at GNI and we will not compromise at any level to bring to our customers the very best Installers, Sales Representatives, Customer Care Personnel, Field Superintendents, Estimating and Technical Support to your project.

100% Canadian

100% Canadian

Great Northern Insulation is recognized as Canada's largest full-service insulation contractor. GNI is 100% Canadian owned, proudly serving Ontario customers since 1980.

Foam Masters

Do it right the first time
- with foam mastersTM

January, 2021 regulatory phaseout of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) with the introduction of WALLTITE CM01. Using hydrofluorolefins (HFOs) with lower global warming potential (GWP) compared to HFCs, WALLTITE CM01 is the next generation of spray foam insulation.

HEATLOK® SOYA HFO™ 

Huntsman HEATLOK® SOYA HFO™ 

Heatlok® Soya HFOTM leverages Honeywell’s latest Solstice® Liquid Blowing Agent technology. This new hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) blowing agent is the most environmentally conscious blowing agent produced to date, with a zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and a global warming potential (GWP) of 1, which is more than two orders of magnitude (99.9%) lower than HFCs used in this industry.

3M

3MTM products.
Quality + Performance = Savings

3MTM energy-saving products are designed to keep warm air in, and cold air out, while keeping energy bills down. Products optimize energy efficiency in buildings and homes; improve indoor environment for occupants; and effect the reduction of seasonal energy costs. 3M products are authorized for LEED credits (Leadership in Energy/Environmental Design).

Holmes and Holmes

Holmes and Holmes

 

Mike Holmes and his son Mike Jr. (MJ) convert MJ’s bachelor bungalow into a two-storey home for MJ and his girlfriend Lisa. Choosing the newest materials and build techniques, the father and son team follow Mike’s famous motto – “Make it right.” The show can be watched on HGTV and DIY Network.

Enbridge

Enbridge Incentives

The Home Efficiency Rebate Plus program offers up to $10,000 in home reno rebates – and Great Northern Insulation can pave the way.

Renomark

Great Northern Insulation proudly abides by a renovation-specific Code of Conduct set by RenoMark™.

eRenovate

We are Verified & Bonded by eRenovate. When you choose to proceed with our services through their platform, you receive the gaurantees set forth through their program.

As Seen on Love It or List It

The GNI crew have been featured installing insulation on Love It or List It - have you seen our logo in an episode?

Climatizer Cellulose

Climatizer

CLIMATIZER PLUS cellulose insulation is manufactured from a minimum of 85% locally-sourced post-consumer recycled newsprint. Non-toxic additives are applied to the uniquely fiberized paper generating a building material with superior thermal and acoustic properties, as well as exceptional resistance to fire, moisture, mould and pests.

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